Age Concern England: Free information and advice about community care, benefits, and legal matters. Local branches may provide day centres, benefit advice, advocacy and/or handyman services. Information line: 0808 808 6060. Fact sheet: 0800 00 99 66.

Alzheimer’s Society: The UK’s “leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers”. Helpline: 0845 300 0336.

Arthritis Care: Help for sufferers. Tel: 020 7380 6500

The Benefits Agency: Find out your entitlement for aid towards long-term care: 0800 88 22 00. Attendance Allowance (AA); Carer's Allowance; Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Care Directions: A guide to care and the rights of older people.

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI): Regulator of care providers and social services. Tel. 0845 015 0120.

Colitis and Crohn’s Disease National Association: Tel. (01727) 844296

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB): All care workers in England and Wales must now undergo a compulsory CRB check before they can gain employment in this field.

Dementia: Facing dementia, articles from the Health Education Board for Scotland.

Diabetes UK: leading charity working for people with diabetes.

Disabled Living Centres Council: Expert advice and supplier information on products that make living easier. Tel. 0161-839 0885.

Disabled Living Foundation: A charity in support of people with disabilities and older people. Tel. 020 7289 6111.

GSCC: Ensuring a trained and trusted social care workforce.

Guide2Care: Supporting the people that care for friends and relatives.

Health authorities: The management bodies for local NHS services. Listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Health Authorities and Services’.

Help the Aged: Advice and information: 0808 800 6565.

Huntington's Disease Association: News and information about Huntington's Disease for people affected, their families & friends and health care professionals.

Independent Financial Advisers: IFA’s can help you to plan for long-term healthcare costs. Ring 0117 971 1177 for the names of local advisers or see notices on the right of this page.

Insurers who specialise in care fees planning: Please see ‘Insurance Companies’ in the Yellow Pages or try searching the Internet for “Care Insurance”. Insurers who specialist in care fees planning: Please see ‘Insurance Companies’ in the Yellow Pages or try searching the Internet for “Care Insurance”. Direct Payments in Scotland click here.

The Law Society of England and Wales can refer you to solicitors specialising in mental health, family, and other matters Phone: 020 7242 1222.

Local Authorities, City Councils, Metropolitan or Borough Councils and Unitary Authorities Social Services: listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Local Government’. If you qualify for free or subsidised help from the social services don’t forget to ask about ‘Direct Payments’ – money that will enable you to choose your own home care agency.

National Centre for Independent Living: a resource on independent living and Direct Payments for disabled people.

National Osteoporosis Society: Tel. (01761) 471771.

Parkinson's Disease Society: HelpLine: 0808 800 0303. Text Phone Number 0207 963 9380.

Protection of Vulnerable Adults scheme: (POVA): A new, countrywide check for recruiters that provides a greater level of protection for vulnerable adults.

Public Trust Office and Court of Protection: Enduring Power of Attorney Helpline: 020 7664 7327. Principal of Protection Division Phone: 020 7664 7101. Director of Mental Health Services Phone: 020 7664 7274.

RNIB: Royal National Institute of the Blind. Phone 0845 766 9999.

SANE: information and support services related to mental illness. Phone: 020 7375 1002.

State Assistance and Long-Term Care: NHFA advice which covers many questions you may have about state funding of care.

United Kingdom Health Care Association (UKHCA): Professional association that aims to raise the profile of domiciliary care as a genuine long-term care alternative that allows people to remain in their own homes. Provides information about service at no cost to clients. Help line: 020 8288 1551.